Overview

Mt. Gould is located in the Eastern Sierra, high above the town of Independence CA. This peak is easily accessible from Onion Valley.Mt. Gould makes for a nice dayhike or overnighter. The easiest way to do this peak is by following the Kearsarge pass trail (5.5 miles from onion valley to the pass) walking by pot hole lake, gilbert lake, flower lake,big pothole lake, and heart lake, gilbert and flower make the best lakes to camp on. Once you get to the pass (11760ft.) go off trail and scramle to the north up lose rocks till you see a large rock outcrop. Climb up the class 3 rocks and enjoy the view. Noteable peaks to see are Mount Clarence king, Mount Cotter, University Peak, Dragon Peak, and Kearsarge Peak. Mt. Gould was first climbed July 2 1890 by Joseph N. LeConte, Hubert P. Dyer, Fred S. Pheby,and C.B. Lakeman. Mt. Gould is on the Sierra Peaks List. Mt. Gould can also be climbed from the Golden Trout Lakes Basin.

Getting There

Turn west off scenic 395 in Independence onto the paved Onion Valley Road, take it to the hikers and backpackers parking lot ( about 14 miles from independence)

Red Tape

For day hiking in the region you don't need a permit but for overnight camping contact the Inyo National Forest Mt. Whitney Ranger District, in Lone Pine.

When To Climb

From The end of May till October is prime time. Winter and spring are good for ski mountainerring. Mt.Gould has some good ski runs.

Camping

There is a campground at the end of the road in Onion Valley at 9200 ft. Or you can get a wilderness permit and camp up in the backcountry.

Additions and Corrections

"was named University Peak, in honor of the University of California, by J. N. LeConte and a party at the first ascent in 1890. On July 12, 1896, LeConte transferred that name to the present University Peak -- when, with Helen Gompertz and Belle and Estelle Miller, he made the first ascent. The following day he climbed the old University Peak and named it for his companion, Wilson S. Gould of Oakland."

Actually this will take half day for an average hiker. My GPS said 11.5 miles roundtrip. That does not mean it is correct. Like any responsible hiker you are, check every source you come across for distances and times when it comes to hiking.

From Independence, CA (Rt-395) take the road to Onion Valley. The entire road is asphalt, so no events there. Drive all the way to the end. The parking area is big but during the summer almost always full. If no parking in the parking area, park along the road. Remember this is bear country: store absolutely everything you have scented in the food metal containers provided at the trailhead. The bear will trash your car for a taste of that toothpaste of soap you have in the trunk.

The trailhead is easy to find. The trail to Kearsage Pass that is. Follow this trail to the pass. Once you hit the pass which is at 11,700 ft, stop. Mount Gould is 90 degrees to ones right. Go uphill that brutal scramble. One will hit a false summit but Mount Gould will be easy to spot, if no clouds. Go to the summit, take pictures, enjoy the scenery and go down the way you went up. Ta-da! You just grabbed a 13,011 ft summit. Congratulations!